I think the theme that always puts a smile on my face is anthropomorphic animals! Games like Root, Everdell, and Defenders of the Wild have great mechanics, but it’s the charming artwork that pulls me in.
Pirate games have always intrigued me. But I am a complete sucker for a game theme that isn't normally found. Like driving a taxi (Taxi Derby), making a fort (Fort), or being a bartender (On the Rocks). Themed games over dry Euros any day!
My go-to theme is primarily civilization, with Path of Civilization, Roll Through The Ages, and Mosaic being my faves. Racing is a close second, no pun intended, with Heat: PttM and Jamaica getting regular play at the table and Camel Up waiting for play.
Hi Jeff. Thanks for another great video. QotW: SciFi/fantasy/pirates/knights and castles. Those themes will almost always lead to a second look at a new game for me.
For new games I haven't played yet, space and sci-fi themed games tend to draw my interest most. And, I do own more space/sci-fi games than those of other themes. But, looking at the themes of my favorite games, it's all over the place. I can only conclude that I'm really more into mechanics than theme.
Loved the intro, I can so relate to that.... sadly not so more as they are no longer around but now my aunt fills that role. Hey your response to my 'response' on shelf of shame v opportunity may not have come across the right way, because what you said is exactly what I was trying to convey :-) Nice looking at your shelf too, that was great, I see a few common ones with mine, especially on second shelf, but sadly my shelf probably needs to be renamed to room......
Hey Mark! My remarks on the shelf of shame v. opportunity wasn't meant to be a dispute - I was kinda more suggesting that no one actually MEANS "shame" when they say "shelf of shame"; that I think the term gained popularity mainly because of the alliteration of the words, but that most folks - I feel - generally use the phrase comically or with endearment. :)
We played Andromeda's Edge again last night at 4 players and everyone enjoyed it a lot more. Everyone saw their scores jump at least 50-60 points, just from better understanding the game. I personally paid far more attention to finding ways to get resources so that I could start moving up the tracks, as well as create the sort of engine for returning my ships. My combat game was much better, although I wasn't really trying to win that much, but I inadvertently won a lot of battles I wasn't trying to win. I also used the Doomsday clock faction, but I was so focused on other things, that I only got to use it the one time. I am fairly confident that you can only do this twice a game at best. What we saw was that the first turn is all about getting the best moons you can. I put my first on my losing combat space and got to use it early for maybe 3 times, which was enough for me to get a bunch of modules and a development out. Our grasp of the rules was a lot better this game and we didn't hit any issues where we needed to consult BGG. The game only took 2 hours at 4 players and we all felt like it moved a lot better. Especially now that we knew what we were doing. As far as forgetting about adding dice to combats for developments, as people who had played Dwellings, this was not an issue for us. I think the Dwellings experience has made it much easier for us to internalize the rules better. The player who won, flew up the commerce track and a as a result go like 30 extra points during the end game. The second place player had gone up the blue track and snagged a bunch of modules that gave him about 17 extra end game points. Overall our second play at 4 was better than our first play.
See that's interesting cuz I gave up on getting moons - especially early in the game. My first move (and I lucked out being first player thanks to Choozy) - I went straight for modules, already starting up the tracks and also giving myself extra resources with the first "return to station" action. I managed to trigger the Doomsday twice by spending resources a few times to bump it an hour. I however never used the power to damage another players module, as I knew that would piss off my opponents. :)
@@TabletopToolbox I also skipped the damage other players power. I did end up with just a bunch of extra moons that I didn't need. I should have paid for the extra bump so I could use that 3 spaces twice. Might have gotten me to the top of the supremacy track.
For QotW: I would probably always want to try a Lord of the Rings themed game. Very soon I should be getting the Middle-earth version of the 7 Wonders Duel. Other re-themed Lord of the Rings games I could get excited about are Terraforming Shire, Lost Ruins of Gondor and Great Western Trail of Gandalf :)
Hahah yeah with my international projects I've worked on, I'm familiar with the Holiday = Vacation terminology. But this game is about Sloths trying to get leaves, so even "vacation" doesn't really make sense. But whatever! I'm looking forward to playing it regardless! :)
Obviously LOTR and any kind of fantasy theme draw me in big time but I’ll play anything that’s immersive in theme. I am one of those players that the mechanics can lack as long as the theme is rich.
There is no theme that I will not turn down. I prefer Sci Fi outer space themed. Star Fleet Battles, Tiny Epic Galaxies, Helionox, Imperial Assault, Star Wars Deckbuilding game, Helionox. I am not a fan of horror movies or games yet I love Final Girl and its predecessor Hostage Negotiator.
Probably music based games, especially if it's rock or heavy metal (& yes, I've played Rock Hard, which is really good). Speaking of Shelf of Shame, I recently got a deck builder based on heavy metal from Kickstarter that I haven't played yet (got it solely based on the theme).
Sorry bit late on this one this week.... bit, I had to think a bit on favourite theme and after some time realised I don't actually have one. So I thought what themes excite me most and I do like theme parks, space, old west and pirates in particular. But I like fantasy as well oh and military stuff.... Gee too hard. But if i had to pick maybe space - I like the feeling of so much exploration the colours of planets and just the fantasising about being out in that wild black yonder. Hey, as an aside don't think I responded to the episode about what theme would I like to see covered. My choice would be something like a "ahem" type of night club (PG or M rated of course) or exotic dancing and yes it would be a cheeky tongue in cheek moment. But low and behold a game you can preorder that just finished on Kickstarter called "Nightshift" is exactly that. I watched a play through of a group of females absolutely role playing it to the tee and it was quite enjoyable. If I had the right crowd of friends that game would be a scream!
I tried really hard to get a copy of Nightshift to preview on the channel, but the designer (understandably) was pushing it out to larger channels, though I gather a lot of folks ultimately declined to make a video for it! I didn't back it for the same reason - I know I don't have the game group for it and I don't think my wife would want it to be sitting around for our 12-year-old daughter to see (and start asking questions about!)
@@cr-pol "Strategy" typically implies long-term planning, putting things into motion over several turns. "Tactical" usually means "spur of the moment" decision making - usually reacting to the actions of an opponent and changing plans quickly to compensate for changing conditions. War games tend to be more tactical, Euro games tend to be more strategic. A game like Andromedas Edge is more of a hybrid - you're working on long-term plans but also reacting to changing conditions.
I am personally far more of a tactical player and tend to win games that are more turn to turn, reacting to what others do versus strategic games where you are thinking moves ahead and using a more long term strategy.
I think the theme that always puts a smile on my face is anthropomorphic animals! Games like Root, Everdell, and Defenders of the Wild have great mechanics, but it’s the charming artwork that pulls me in.
Pirate games have always intrigued me. But I am a complete sucker for a game theme that isn't normally found. Like driving a taxi (Taxi Derby), making a fort (Fort), or being a bartender (On the Rocks). Themed games over dry Euros any day!
My shelf o' shame stares at me all the time.
My go-to theme is primarily civilization, with Path of Civilization, Roll Through The Ages, and Mosaic being my faves. Racing is a close second, no pun intended, with Heat: PttM and Jamaica getting regular play at the table and Camel Up waiting for play.
Hi Jeff. Thanks for another great video.
QotW: SciFi/fantasy/pirates/knights and castles. Those themes will almost always lead to a second look at a new game for me.
For new games I haven't played yet, space and sci-fi themed games tend to draw my interest most. And, I do own more space/sci-fi games than those of other themes. But, looking at the themes of my favorite games, it's all over the place. I can only conclude that I'm really more into mechanics than theme.
for QotW, I would say path-pattern building games get my attention to get a look at them.
Loved the intro, I can so relate to that.... sadly not so more as they are no longer around but now my aunt fills that role. Hey your response to my 'response' on shelf of shame v opportunity may not have come across the right way, because what you said is exactly what I was trying to convey :-) Nice looking at your shelf too, that was great, I see a few common ones with mine, especially on second shelf, but sadly my shelf probably needs to be renamed to room......
Hey Mark! My remarks on the shelf of shame v. opportunity wasn't meant to be a dispute - I was kinda more suggesting that no one actually MEANS "shame" when they say "shelf of shame"; that I think the term gained popularity mainly because of the alliteration of the words, but that most folks - I feel - generally use the phrase comically or with endearment. :)
We played Andromeda's Edge again last night at 4 players and everyone enjoyed it a lot more. Everyone saw their scores jump at least 50-60 points, just from better understanding the game. I personally paid far more attention to finding ways to get resources so that I could start moving up the tracks, as well as create the sort of engine for returning my ships. My combat game was much better, although I wasn't really trying to win that much, but I inadvertently won a lot of battles I wasn't trying to win. I also used the Doomsday clock faction, but I was so focused on other things, that I only got to use it the one time. I am fairly confident that you can only do this twice a game at best. What we saw was that the first turn is all about getting the best moons you can. I put my first on my losing combat space and got to use it early for maybe 3 times, which was enough for me to get a bunch of modules and a development out.
Our grasp of the rules was a lot better this game and we didn't hit any issues where we needed to consult BGG. The game only took 2 hours at 4 players and we all felt like it moved a lot better. Especially now that we knew what we were doing. As far as forgetting about adding dice to combats for developments, as people who had played Dwellings, this was not an issue for us. I think the Dwellings experience has made it much easier for us to internalize the rules better. The player who won, flew up the commerce track and a as a result go like 30 extra points during the end game. The second place player had gone up the blue track and snagged a bunch of modules that gave him about 17 extra end game points. Overall our second play at 4 was better than our first play.
See that's interesting cuz I gave up on getting moons - especially early in the game. My first move (and I lucked out being first player thanks to Choozy) - I went straight for modules, already starting up the tracks and also giving myself extra resources with the first "return to station" action. I managed to trigger the Doomsday twice by spending resources a few times to bump it an hour. I however never used the power to damage another players module, as I knew that would piss off my opponents. :)
@@TabletopToolbox I also skipped the damage other players power. I did end up with just a bunch of extra moons that I didn't need. I should have paid for the extra bump so I could use that 3 spaces twice. Might have gotten me to the top of the supremacy track.
For QotW: I would probably always want to try a Lord of the Rings themed game. Very soon I should be getting the Middle-earth version of the 7 Wonders Duel. Other re-themed Lord of the Rings games I could get excited about are Terraforming Shire, Lost Ruins of Gondor and Great Western Trail of Gandalf :)
A lot of other countries say "holiday" instead of "vacation."
I haven't heard of that expansion, but maybe this context makes more sense?
Hahah yeah with my international projects I've worked on, I'm familiar with the Holiday = Vacation terminology. But this game is about Sloths trying to get leaves, so even "vacation" doesn't really make sense. But whatever! I'm looking forward to playing it regardless! :)
Obviously LOTR and any kind of fantasy theme draw me in big time but I’ll play anything that’s immersive in theme. I am one of those players that the mechanics can lack as long as the theme is rich.
There is no theme that I will not turn down. I prefer Sci Fi outer space themed. Star Fleet Battles, Tiny Epic Galaxies, Helionox, Imperial Assault, Star Wars Deckbuilding game, Helionox. I am not a fan of horror movies or games yet I love Final Girl and its predecessor Hostage Negotiator.
Probably music based games, especially if it's rock or heavy metal (& yes, I've played Rock Hard, which is really good). Speaking of Shelf of Shame, I recently got a deck builder based on heavy metal from Kickstarter that I haven't played yet (got it solely based on the theme).
Oh dang I didn't see that last sentence - what's the heavy metal deck building game??
God's of Metal (2nd edition). The original was God's of Metal:The Chosen. Very Indie. Haven't actually played it yet.
Sorry bit late on this one this week.... bit, I had to think a bit on favourite theme and after some time realised I don't actually have one. So I thought what themes excite me most and I do like theme parks, space, old west and pirates in particular. But I like fantasy as well oh and military stuff.... Gee too hard. But if i had to pick maybe space - I like the feeling of so much exploration the colours of planets and just the fantasising about being out in that wild black yonder.
Hey, as an aside don't think I responded to the episode about what theme would I like to see covered. My choice would be something like a "ahem" type of night club (PG or M rated of course) or exotic dancing and yes it would be a cheeky tongue in cheek moment. But low and behold a game you can preorder that just finished on Kickstarter called "Nightshift" is exactly that. I watched a play through of a group of females absolutely role playing it to the tee and it was quite enjoyable. If I had the right crowd of friends that game would be a scream!
I tried really hard to get a copy of Nightshift to preview on the channel, but the designer (understandably) was pushing it out to larger channels, though I gather a lot of folks ultimately declined to make a video for it! I didn't back it for the same reason - I know I don't have the game group for it and I don't think my wife would want it to be sitting around for our 12-year-old daughter to see (and start asking questions about!)
@@TabletopToolbox Haha, and I bet answers to those questions would take as much time to think carefully through as a board gamer with AP!!
So I suppose Jeff is still in the will.
What is/are the difference(s) between a game that is "strategic" and a "tactical" game?
@@cr-pol "Strategy" typically implies long-term planning, putting things into motion over several turns. "Tactical" usually means "spur of the moment" decision making - usually reacting to the actions of an opponent and changing plans quickly to compensate for changing conditions. War games tend to be more tactical, Euro games tend to be more strategic. A game like Andromedas Edge is more of a hybrid - you're working on long-term plans but also reacting to changing conditions.
I am personally far more of a tactical player and tend to win games that are more turn to turn, reacting to what others do versus strategic games where you are thinking moves ahead and using a more long term strategy.
@@TabletopToolbox so to use a paraphrase from Mike Tyson - strategy is having a plan , tactics is getting hit in the mouth.